FIFA President Gianni Infantino is “under intense pressure” to resolve Saudi Arabia’s "block on TV coverage as part of a power play at the World Cup.” A source said that new legal representations from Qatar-based beIN had been "taken to both FIFA and Saudi authorities on Saturday” as the net's streaming platforms “were being blocked” in neighboring countries. Coverage was "cut an hour before” last Sunday’s opening ceremony causing a "major headache for FIFA as beIN is one of its biggest right-holders for the tournament." Negotiations have “taken place between the nations," but Saudi’s Ministry of Media is "understood to have refused to relent” (London TELEGRAPH, 11/26). Under beIN’s agreement with FIFA, the net is "broadcasting 22 World Cups games on free television in Saudi Arabia,” including the opening game, final and all of Saudi Arabia’s games. The remaining 42 games are "only available" on beIN's streaming platform TOD.tv. The streaming ban comes amid a "push by Saudi Arabia to become a global sports player” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/25).
